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Electric Current.: Today's Agenda
Electric Current.: Today's Agenda
Electric Current.: Today's Agenda
Electric Current.
You must know the definition of current, and be able to use it in solving problems.
Current Density.
You must understand the difference between current and current density, and be able to
use current density in solving problems.
average current:
amount of charge Q that passes through area during time t
ΔQ
Iav
Δt
instantaneous current:
dQ
I=
dt
C
unit of current: ampere (A): A= .
s
in most conductors, charge carriers are negative electrons
+-
current electrons
If your calculation produces a negative value for the current, that means the
conventional current actually flows opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow.
Resistance
current in a wire:
A
• length L, cross section A
• material of resistivity L
start from E J
I L
V EL JL L IR R
A A
resistance of the wire,
V
Ohm’ law (device version) unit (Ohm)
A
V IR
Resistance
• resistance of wire (or other device) measures how easily
charge flows through it
L
R
A
• the longer a wire, the harder it is to push electrons through it
• the greater the cross-sectional area, the “easier” it is to push
electrons through it
• the greater the resistivity, the “harder” it is for the electrons
to move in the material
Distinguish:
Resistivity = material’s property
Resistance = device property
Resistors in circuits
R R 0 1 T T0